Joseph Felter is a Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution (Stanford University) and the William J. Perry Fellow at the Center for International Security and Cooperation. His career bridges academia, military service, and policy advising, with expertise in counterinsurgency, national security, and US-China relations. He coauthored the influential book Small Wars, Big Data: The Information Revolution and Modern Conflict (2018) and developed the Hacking for Defense curriculum to connect military needs with Silicon Valley innovation. Military Background: Former US Army Special Forces officer with combat deployments in Panama, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Served as commander of the COMISAF Counterinsurgency Advisory and Assistance Team. Academic Roles: Assistant Professor at West Point’s Department of Social Sciences, Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University’s School for International and Public Affairs, and current codirector of Stanford’s Empirical Studies of Conflict Project. Research Focus: Politically motivated violence, economic development in conflict zones, and defense innovation. His work appears in top journals like American Economic Review and Journal of Conflict Resolution . Policy Engagement: Key advisor on US defense strategy (2017–2019) and founder of BMNT, a Silicon Valley defense technology incubator. Currently serves on Spirit of America’s board. Scientific Awards: Recognized as a William J. Perry Fellow and US Army War College Fellow. His empirical conflict research informs both academic and policy debates.
Ian Greer is a Research Fellow at Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labour Relations , with a career focused on marketisation , industrial relations , and transnational solidarity . He holds a PhD from Cornell University and has previously studied at Bard College. His work examines labor dynamics in globalised industries , welfare states , and multinational corporations , often through qualitative comparative methods . Education : BSc (Bard College), MSc/PhD (Cornell University) Greer's research spans marketisation of employment services , social movement unionism , and labour policy in crisis situations . His publications include studies on European welfare-to-work schemes , healthcare privatisation , and labour migration . He is associated with the Centre for Employment Relations, Innovation and Change (CERIC) at the University of Leeds. Greer's recent work analyses precarious labor and project-based employment in social services across Slovenia and France. He also contributes to debates on social dumping , work-first welfare states , and activist labor strategies in sectors like healthcare and automotive manufacturing. He has no listed scientific awards. His work often involves collaboration with scholars like Marco Hauptmeier , Charles Umney , and Nathan Lillie , though no formal advisees are named in the provided text. His email is icg2@cornell.edu .
Stephen Billings is an Associate Professor of Finance at the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder, where he holds the Global Real Estate Capital Markets Chair position. He serves as the faculty director of the MS in Real Estate program and research director for the CU Real Estate Center. His work spans multiple research centers including the Center for Research on Consumer Financial Decision Making and the Michael A. Klump Center for Real Estate. Billings received his PhD in Economics from the University of Colorado, a MS in urban planning from the University of North Carolina, and a BS in economics from Georgetown University. Prior to joining CU Boulder in 2016, he was faculty at the University of North Carolina Charlotte with appointments in both economics and public policy, where he also served as faculty director for the real estate center. His research focuses on the intersection of housing, schools, neighborhoods and crime, addressing critical policy issues including the impact of public investment in light-rail transit on neighborhoods, school segregation's influence on academic achievement and crime, neighborhood gentrification causes, lead-based paint in low-income housing, and the effects of sea level rise and natural disasters on neighborhood sorting and household finances. Billings employs sophisticated analysis of large micro-datasets with studies based on data and policies in Charlotte, NC and Denver, CO. His work connects urban economics with public policy, demonstrating how neighborhood environments shape individual outcomes across multiple dimensions. Billings' recent publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on neighborhood effects, school choice impacts, crime economics, and housing market dynamics. His work frequently examines the intersection of race, housing, and economic outcomes, with particular attention to policy implications. He has developed innovative methodological approaches to studying residential amenities and neighborhood spillovers, with increasing attention to climate change impacts on housing markets. His research appears in top journals including The Quarterly Journal of Economics, American Economic Review: Insights, and Journal of Urban Economics. As an educator, Billings teaches undergraduate and masters classes in real estate finance and economics, as well as doctoral and masters level courses on cost-benefit analysis and statistical methods. He has extensive consulting experience conducting economic impact studies, including assessments of North Carolina's public higher education system, affordable housing needs in Colorado communities, and the economic effects of marijuana legalization on property markets. His practical policy work complements his academic research, creating a bridge between theoretical insights and real-world applications. Billings leads significant research initiatives through the CU Real Estate Center, where he directs studies examining the impact of business improvement districts and other urban development policies. His work bridges academic research with practical policy applications, making substantial contributions to our understanding of how housing, education, and neighborhood environments shape individual outcomes and community development. His December 2023 memo on the HUD Officer Next Door Program exemplifies his engagement with current housing policy issues.
Professor Marilyn Pittard is a leading academic in the Faculty of Law at Monash University, currently serving as Associate Dean Engagement. She has held numerous leadership roles including Interim Dean, LLM Director, and Associate Dean (Research), with a career spanning over two decades in academic administration and legal scholarship. Her research focuses on Labour Law, Employment Rights, and Human Rights, with significant contributions to understanding workplace relations, vulnerable workers, and the intersection of criminal records with employment access. She has secured grants from the Australian Research Council and other institutions for projects like The Other Side of Security and Living Down the Past . Recent publications highlight trends in employment law, including anti-slavery practices, redundancy frameworks, and digital-era workplace challenges. She chairs the Victorian Legal Admissions Board’s Academic Course Appraisal Committee and contributes to the Australian Labour Law Journal and Employment Law Bulletin .
Professor Tatsuhisa Tamura is affiliated with the Faculty of Law at Waseda University , specializing in Public Law . His academic career spans over two decades, with a focus on local government law, administrative law, and economic regulation. Research Interests include: Public Law : Constitutional frameworks and local governance structures. Disaster Relief Law : Legal systems for JSDF deployment in crises. Economic Regulation : Impacts of deregulation on administrative law. Civic Accountability : Judicial control mechanisms like resident litigation. Policy Reform : Decentralization and carbon-neutral governance. Recent Publications (2015–2020) address municipal financial systems, citizen litigation frameworks, and disaster response protocols. His work emphasizes balancing efficiency with democratic control in shrinking societies. Grants & Projects include: 2025–2029: Sustainable Public Official Law (JSPS Grant). 2019–2022: Civil Defense Systems in Large-Scale Disasters . 2017–2021: Legal Regulation of Local Government Enterprises . 2021–2025: Comparative Studies on Personnel Administration . Teaching involves courses like Local Government Law and Administrative Law at Waseda’s Graduate School of Law. He also contributes to public policy debates on carbon neutrality and judicial transparency.
Yuhua Wang serves as the Ford Foundation Professor of Modern China Studies within Harvard University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Government. His scholarly work establishes him as a leading authority on Chinese political development, state capacity, and historical institutional analysis across imperial and contemporary contexts. His academic foundation includes: B.A. from Peking University Ph.D. from the University of Michigan Professor Wang's research program integrates comparative politics with Chinese studies through core interests in bureaucracy , institutions , judiciary and public law , political economy & development , political geography , and state-society relations . He employs a methodological triad of historical , qualitative , and quantitative approaches to analyze China's political evolution. His work uniquely bridges macro-historical patterns with contemporary governance challenges, particularly examining how historical legacies shape modern state capacity and institutional resilience in authoritarian contexts. Analysis of his publication trajectory reveals consistent focus on state development mechanisms, with increasing sophistication in comparative historical methodology. Recent work demonstrates expanded geographic scope beyond China while maintaining analytical depth in imperial political economy. His research shows growing integration of cross-national datasets with deep historical case studies, reflecting broader trends in political science toward mixed-method designs for complex institutional analysis. His distinguished recognition includes: 2023 Lubbert Best Book Award in Comparative Politics from the American Political Science Association for The Rise and Fall of Imperial China Harvard College Professor appointment (2025) Professor Wang maintains active research leadership through extensive publication in premier journals including American Political Science Review and Comparative Political Studies , with significant contributions to theoretical frameworks like State-in-Society 2.0. His work generates substantial policy-relevant insights on corruption, judicial review, and urban governance in China. As a core faculty member in Harvard's Government Department, he contributes to the university's intellectual ecosystem through cross-disciplinary collaboration and participation in research initiatives focused on Asian political development, though specific lab affiliations are not documented in available sources.
Thomas Schlag is Professor of Practical Theology with a focus on Religious Education, Church Theory and Pastoral Theology at the Faculty of Theology, University of Zurich. Since January 1, 2021, he has served as Director of the University Research Priority Program 'Digital Religion(s): Communication, Interaction and Transformation in the Digital Society.' He is also Chairman of the Board of the Center for Church Development (ZKE), which he co-founded in June 2010. Previously, he served as Dean of the Faculty of Theology (2014-2016) and Vice Dean for Teaching (2012-2014). 1965: Born in Stuttgart 1980-1985: Attended Protestant seminaries Maulbronn and Blaubeuren 1986-1993: Studied Protestant Theology and Political Science in Tübingen and Munich 1993-1996: Doctorate at University of Munich 2004-2005: DFG research fellowship at University of Tübingen 2005: Appointed Assistant Professor at University of Zurich 2009: Habilitation at University of Tübingen 2011: Appointed Professor at University of Zurich Professor Schlag's work centers on the intersection of theology, education, and digital transformation. His research examines how religious practices adapt to digital environments, with particular focus on religious education in schools, confirmation work, and church youth programs. He explores theological-anthropological interpretations of digital transformation and investigates the relationship between church, state, and civil society through the lens of 'Public Theology.' His current projects analyze digital media practices in church educational offerings and investigate how churches negotiate digital worship services and sacraments. His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on digital religion, with numerous articles examining digital media in confirmation work, religious leadership in digital contexts, and the challenges churches face in adapting to digital transformation. His work spans practical theology, religious education theory, and ecclesiology, with a particular focus on Swiss religious contexts while maintaining international comparative perspectives. The research demonstrates increasing interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly with scholars examining digital innovation in religious contexts. As Director of the University Research Priority Program 'Digital Religion(s),' Professor Schlag leads a significant interdisciplinary research initiative exploring how digital technologies transform religious communication, interaction, and practices. His work has practical implications for church development, religious education, and theological reflection in the digital age. He actively collaborates with international research networks including the European Network for Confirmation Work and the International Academy of Practical Theology.
Dr. Miemie Winn Byrd is an Adjunct Professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS), where she researches, teaches, and publishes on security dynamics in Myanmar/Burma & Southeast Asia, economics & security linkages, and organizational development. A retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel with 28 years of distinguished service, she brings extensive experience from military, private sector, and nonprofit organizations to her academic work. Dr. Byrd earned her educational credentials from prestigious institutions: Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Accounting from Claremont McKenna College Master of Business Administration with emphasis in Asia-Pacific Economics and Business from University of Hawaii Doctorate in Education Leadership from the University of Southern California Her research focuses on the complex interplay between security, economics, and social development in Southeast Asia, with particular expertise in Myanmar's political and security landscape. Dr. Byrd examines how civil-military operations, women's roles, and educational approaches impact socioeconomic development and security outcomes in the region. She investigates the strategic implications of Myanmar's internal conflicts for broader Indo-Pacific security dynamics, and analyzes how private sector engagement can contribute to poverty alleviation and stability. Dr. Byrd serves on multiple advisory boards that extend her influence in policy and research: Board of Governors of the Keck Center for International and Strategic Studies at Claremont McKenna College Regional Advisory Committee for Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar Initiative of the Asia Regional Office, International Development Research Centre The Oxford-Thanakha International based in Chiang Mai, Thailand Myanmar Policy Institute based in Washington, D.C. Her military career included significant roles such as Deputy Economic Advisor and Civil-Military Operations Plans Officer at U.S. Pacific Command, where she supported Operations Enduring Freedom. She served as a linguist and cultural advisor for U.S. delegations at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum and during POW/MIA recovery negotiations in Myanmar. Her civilian career spans 16 years in auditing, accounting, and financial management with multinational corporations.
Dr. Sarah F. Anzia is the Chancellor's Professor of Public Policy and Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley, with a joint affiliation at the Goldman School of Public Policy. She is also a Senior Fellow at the Niskanen Center and a Senior Fellow (adjunct) at the Hoover Institution. Her research bridges American politics, public policy, and subnational governance. Her work focuses on state and local government election timing and voter turnout interest group influence public-sector labor dynamics gender in electoral politics pension policy The 15 most recent publications highlight her expertise in historical labor movements policy feedback theory local taxation public-sector pension economics gender dynamics in electoral outcomes subnational institutional analysis Her studies often employ quantitative datasets spanning multiple decades of local government financial records and electoral patterns. Scientific recognition includes National Research Data Access via Goldman School working papers Senior Fellowships at Niskanen Center and Hoover Institution Endowed Chancellor's Professorship at UC Berkeley Key research contributions examine the interplay between business groups and labor unions in local governance structural determinants of senior citizen policy influence pension fund governance mechanisms historical development of local electoral institutions She received her PhD in political science from Stanford University and holds an MPP from the Harris School at the University of Chicago.
Ji Li is the John S. and Marilyn Long Professor of U.S.-China Business and Law at the University of California, Irvine School of Law, where he joined in July 2019. Previously, he served as a Professor of Law and Zhuang Zhou Scholar at Rutgers University with associate faculty affiliations at the Division of Global Affairs. Ph.D. in Political Science, Northwestern University J.D., Yale Law School (Olin Fellow in Law, Economics, and Public Policy) Professor Li's research focuses on Chinese law and politics, international business transactions, comparative law, contracts, and empirical legal studies. His scholarship examines how Chinese multinational companies adapt to U.S. legal systems, state-owned enterprise compliance, and the intersection of U.S.-China geopolitical rivalry with international legal norms. His recent publications (2023-2024) explore topics like foreign investment screening regulations, digital age civil rights challenges, and evolving rule of law concepts in China. These works span disciplines including international law, comparative law, corporate law, and civil rights law, with a specific emphasis on cross-jurisdictional legal adaptation, regulatory compliance, and geopolitical implications. Scientific awards include: Zhuang Zhou Scholar at Rutgers University Olin Fellow in Law, Economics, and Public Policy at Yale Law School Professor Li's ongoing research projects investigate China's engagement with international legal orders and transnational actor responses to U.S.-China tensions. He has presented at prestigious venues including the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy, and international conferences in Amsterdam and New York.
Professor Cati Connell is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Boston University and former Director of the BU Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program. She holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin (2010). Her research focuses on LGBTQ+ rights, military inclusion, gender dynamics, and workplace experiences. Key themes include queer identity formation, policy impacts on marginalized communities, and the intersection of labor practices with gender and sexuality. Education: PhD in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin, 2010 Her research interests center on military integration post-DADT repeal, generational solidarities in LGBTQ+ communities, and the evolving meanings of self-identification terms like “lesbian.” She explores how institutions shape queer narratives, analyzing topics such as homonormativity, gendered compromises, and aesthetic labor in retail environments. Her work combines qualitative methodologies with theoretical frameworks like Bourdieu’s sociology of the body. In her recent publications (2015–2024), Connell examines the paradoxes of queer visibility in professional spaces, the tensions between civil rights and institutional policies, and digital platforms’ role in fostering LGBTQ+ solidarity. Her analysis often critiques how equality reforms can inadvertently reinforce exclusionary norms. Scientific awards: No awards explicitly mentioned in the provided texts. Advising and grants: While no specific advisees or grants are listed, Connell’s research trajectory suggests active mentorship in LGBTQ+ studies and sociology. Her work likely involves collaborative projects, though funding details remain undocumented. Labs/teams: Affiliated with Boston University’s Sociology Department and previously led the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program. No specific lab or team affiliations are noted in the texts, but her interdisciplinary focus implies potential collaborations across gender studies, queer theory, and military sociology initiatives.
Arthur Schafer is a Full Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Arts and Founding Director of the Centre for Professional and Applied Ethics. He serves as a National Research Associate of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and previously held roles as ethics consultant for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and Head of the Section of Bio-Medical Ethics in the Faculty of Medicine. His academic credentials include a BLitt in Philosophy from the University of Oxford (1967) and a BA Honours from the University of Manitoba. His distinguished career spans over five decades of ethical scholarship and public engagement. Professor Schafer specializes in professional and applied ethics with intensive focus on bioethics , research ethics , and biomedical conflicts of interest . His work critically examines medical assistance in dying , informed consent , clinical trial ethics , and human rights frameworks , establishing him as a leading voice in Canadian ethical discourse. His philosophical approach bridges theoretical rigor with practical policy applications across multiple professional domains. Analysis of his 13 most recent publications reveals enduring engagement with evolving ethical challenges, particularly the tension between institutional interests and professional integrity. His scholarship demonstrates consistent progression from foundational ethical theory toward contemporary policy applications, with recent work heavily concentrated on medical assistance in dying and pharmaceutical industry influence in healthcare systems. His scientific recognition includes: D. R. Campbell Outreach Award (1984) Olive Beatrice Stanton Award for Excellence in Teaching (1976) Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship (1964) Woodrow Wilson Fellowship (1964) Canada Council Fellow As an active supervisor for Master's and PhD students, Schafer extends his mentorship through ethics consulting for professional associations in Medicine, Engineering, Architecture, Nursing, and Pharmacy. His policy impact is evidenced by service on the Provincial-Territorial Expert Panel on Medical Assistance in Dying and two published reports for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. His extensive media contributions—including hundreds of CBC appearances and newspaper columns—demonstrate exceptional public scholarship. The Centre for Professional and Applied Ethics, which he founded, functions as a vital interdisciplinary hub connecting academic philosophy with real-world ethical challenges across healthcare, law, and public policy sectors, facilitating ongoing dialogue between scholars, practitioners, and community stakeholders.
Louis S. Rulli is the Shuster Practice Professor of Law and Director of the Civil Practice Clinic and Legislative Clinic at Penn Carey Law School, University of Pennsylvania. He is a leading expert in public interest law, clinical legal education, legislation, and civil asset forfeiture, with a strong commitment to access to justice for low-income individuals. His research focuses on civil forfeiture reform, legal ethics, and the rights of indigent clients. He has written extensively on how civil asset forfeiture disproportionately impacts marginalized communities and has advocated for legal reforms to protect innocent property owners. His work emphasizes the need for legal representation in civil proceedings and the expansion of pro bono services. The 15 most recent publications highlight a consistent scholarly focus on civil forfeiture, access to justice, legal ethics, and public interest lawyering. These works span law reviews, policy testimony, and public advocacy, reflecting a career dedicated to legal reform and clinical education. Key themes include the abuse of civil forfeiture, the need for counsel in civil cases, and systemic barriers to justice for the poor. University-wide Provost’s Award for Distinguished Teaching (2006) Penn Carey Law’s Beacon Award for exemplary faculty commitment to pro bono service (2012) Community Legal Services’ Champion of Justice Award (2012) Villanova University’s Praxis Award in Professional Ethics (2015) AALS Father Robert Drinan Award (2019) Pennsylvania Bar Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award Rulli has supervised numerous law students through clinical programs, training them to represent indigent clients in civil forfeiture and legislative advocacy. He has also advised on policy initiatives, served on judicial ethics committees, and contributed to legislative reform efforts. His leadership in legal services governance includes past roles with Community Legal Services, Philadelphia Legal Assistance, and the Women’s Law Project. He currently serves as Hearing Officer for the City of Philadelphia’s Board of Ethics and Access to Justice Advisor to the Philadelphia Bar Association. He has directed clinical programs at Penn Law for over two decades, overseeing student representation in civil forfeiture cases, which has been featured in national media such as The New Yorker . His work bridges legal scholarship, clinical teaching, and public policy, making a significant impact on both legal education and justice reform.
Anthony Niblett is a Professor and Canada Research Chair in Law, Economics, & Innovation at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. He is an Affiliate Researcher with the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence and co-founder of Blue J, a startup leveraging AI for tax and legal professionals. Education: Ph.D. in Economics, Harvard University (2009) M.A. in Economics, Harvard University (2006) LL.B. (Honours), University of Melbourne (2003) B.Com. (Honours in Economics), University of Melbourne (2003) Bigelow Fellow, University of Chicago His research bridges artificial intelligence , innovation , and legal theory , with a focus on contract law , competition policy , and judicial behavior . He explores how machine learning transforms legal practice, regulatory frameworks, and judicial decisions. His work includes self-driving contracts , computational antitrust , and the personalization of law . Recent publications analyze AI’s role in legal disagreement , gender gaps in employment law , and computational merger reviews . His articles emphasize the intersection of technology , economics , and legal reform . Scientific Awards: Canada Research Chair in Law, Economics, & Innovation Bigelow Fellow, University of Chicago He serves as an Academic Advisor at the Future of Law Lab and contributes to Blue J , advancing AI applications in legal domains. His teaching includes Contract Law , Torts , and Economic Analysis of Law .
Susan Powers is a Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Clarkson University, where she also serves as the Spence Professor of Sustainable Environmental Systems, Director of the Institute for a Sustainable Environment, and Associate Director of Sustainability. She earned her Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1992. Research Interests: Dr. Powers specializes in lifecycle assessment and environmental impact metrics for energy systems, with recent interdisciplinary work on anaerobic digestion for food waste management and smart housing to encourage energy conservation. Her educational research integrates project-based learning to enhance energy and climate change literacy across K-12 and college levels. Scientific Awards: AEESP Distinguished Service Award (2019) AEESP Fellow (2019) Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award (2012) Premier Curriculum Award for K-12 Engineering (2009) NSF Directors Award – Distinguished Teaching Scholar (2004) Grants & Educational Leadership: Dr. Powers has led multiple education-oriented grants, including the NSF Distinguished Teaching Scholars award, to develop project-based modules for sustainability education. She actively incorporates campus sustainability initiatives into student projects to teach real-world environmental problem-solving.
